FMEAs
How to win a food manufacturing Oscar
In this exclusive video interview, two awards judges reveal their hints and tips for winning an FMEA, including telling the whole story, and focusing on project results.
“It’s frustrating when you see there’s a good story, but there’s not enough evidence; there’s not enough of the story told to make a fair judgement,” said Institute of Food Science and Technology chief executive, and first-time judge, Jon Poole.
‘Tell the whole story’
“We can’t make assumptions based on that. The strong message is make sure that you don’t make those assumptions; tell the whole story,” he added.
NFT strategic development director Dale Fiddy said that he looks for progress within the company when assessing applications. The best applications do not necessarily come from big companies, he added.
Fiddy said: “To construct an award-winning entry, you have to put in some clear evidence of why your company deserves recognition.
‘Recognising excellence’
“This is about performance, it’s about recognising excellence. So, I would say focus on what you’re doing and the results of the projects that you’re trying to win the awards category for.”
The Food Manufacture Group’s Mike Stones, pictured with two files of awards entries, spoke to both Fiddy and Poole after last year’s FMEA judging.
The FMEAs are judged by an independent panel of industry experts, led by National Skills Academy for Food and Drink chair Paul Wilkinson.
Meanwhile, the closing date for receipt of entries is Monday July 17. The winners will be revealed at a stellar awards evening at the Hilton, Park Lane in London, on November 1.
To find out more about entering the awards, visit the FMEAs website, or call Catherine Lyne on 01293 610 439. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Katie Tyler on 01293 610 493.
Food Manufacture Excellence Awards: Which categories will you enter?
Manufacturing company of the year category
- Ambient
- Bakery
- Beverages
- Chilled foods
- Dairy
- Fresh produce
- Frozen foods
- Meat, poultry and seafood
From the winners of the individual category awards, one company will be selected by our judging panel to be crowned Food Manufacture Company of the Year.
A series of other awards will be presented and these are open to those companies that have entered the main category awards.
Other FMEA awards
- Best new use of food ingredients
- Environmental initiative of the year
- Supply chain initiative of the year
- Training programme of the year
- Judges’ star performer: presented to a company selected from all entries, which the judges believe deserves recognition for one particular area of its activities
- SME innovation of the year award: presented to the best small company whose turnover is less than £10M and employs fewer than 100 staff
FMEAs for individuals
The Me and My Factory – editor’s choice award recognises the company from those featured under this regular and popular section within the pages of Food Manufacture over the previous year that our editorial team considers stands out from all the rest.
Young talent of the year award will be made to the individual aged 25 years or under who the judges assess to be the most promising new apprentice or graduate in food and drink manufacture.
The closing date for receipt of entries is Friday July 14. The winners will be revealed at a fun-packed awards evening at the Hilton Park Lane in London on November 1.
The awards are free to enter and the winners are selected by an independent panel of leading experts from the sector.
